Vacancy Information
Division / Department - Forcewide
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Rank - Inspector
Location - See Advert
In line with the published Posting and Tenure guidance, operational requirements will always be considered prior to confirming posting dates to successful applicants.
The Role
The role of the Chief Firearms Instructor (CFI) is to advise the firearms portfolio holder (ACC Ops) in respect of all firearms training matters (i.e. training for all armed policing role profiles identified in appendix 3 of the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC), including firearms command training, and training for public order AEP).
The CFI works to the Chief Inspector Tactical Firearms Unit as part of a wider team.
The CFI has a secondary responsibility to contribute to the force as Duty Officer supporting a Division or an Initial Tactical Firearms Commander.
Key Responsibilities
•The CFI holds overall responsibility for Firearms Training and Firearms Command Training for Surrey Police, Sussex Police and Gatwick Airport.
That includes:
• Manage Policy, Compliance and Health & Safety for Firearms Training and Firearms Command Training.
• Quality assure and authorise Firearms Training Event Packs prior to delivery of all training.
• Develop and maintain Firearms Training Procedures, Range Procedures and Armoury Procedures as an appendix to the Force Firearms Policy.
• Assist the Firearms Chief Inspector, to maintain and develop the Armed Policing Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment (APSTRA) for both Firearms Training and Operations.
• Provide management support to the Firearms Compliance Unit and Firearms Command Training.
• Ensure the continued authorisation of Firearms Officers within Operations Command through the annual accreditation process identified in the Firearms Licence Process.
• Oversee the annual accreditation process of Firearms Instructors and Firearms Trainers in Operations Command, as outlined in the Instructor role profiles and individual portfolios, to ensure their continued competence to deliver training is maintained
• Oversee the management and updating of Firearms Training records on Chronicle and ensure that a preventative maintenance regime is in place to enable all firearms officers remain authorised. This will include oversight of health screening for eyesight and hearing tests for all AFO’s.
• Oversee the management of Firearms Training Action Plans and Development training packs provided by the Firearms Training Sergeants, to ensure that they are completed, endorsed and recorded correctly on Chronicle.
• Quality assure Activity Based Risk Assessments for all Firearms training prior to delivery of training.
• Bring to the attention of the Firearms Command Team any updates to the Curriculum, NPCC Circulars and National best practice that impacts on the business.
• Develop and ensure Portfolio Lead sign off of the annual Firearms training Plan and monitor and review it as appropriate.
• To oversee the design, development and review of all role profiles to ensure currency with the required NPFTC modules, APSTRA related needs and APP Armed Policing. Seeking annual ACC Lead sign off of the required annual training in each profile.
• To carry out the annual College of Policing Firearms Licence Inspection on PSQMS (Self Assessment) and delivery of the four yearly College of Policing formal Firearms Licence Inspection process.
• To oversee the management of all Surrey and Sussex ranges in line with Chapter 2 Annex D of the College of Policing Handbook of Police Range Safety.
• To manage both scheduled and random Training and Armoury inspections to ensure compliance with the Firearms Licence process.
• To carry out environmental scanning through the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC), POLKA, NPCC Circulars, memorandums and notes from NPCC or College of Policing and implement any actions as necessary to ensure full compliance at all times.
• To produce reports for managers in support of the delivery of firearms in Operations Command and Gatwick.
• To produce and maintain an accurate budget for the delivery of all firearms training.
• To identify more efficient ways of working to promote safer and cost effective methods including income generation opportunities to offset local costs for training.
• Work and liaise with Regional and National partners as required to contribute to National Armed Policing.
Skills & Experience
It is essential that the post holder is/has:
Currently qualified and accredited as a Firearms Instructor, with a proven understanding of the current design, planning, delivery, assessment and evaluation processes for all Firearms Initial Courses, Mandated refresher training and Specialist Training programmes.
A Level 4 training qualification. (Certificate in Education, Diploma in Education, C&G 7407 Stage III Certificate in Education and Training or equivalent).
A minimum of a Level 2 in managing health and safety, or a recognised equivalent (IOSH managing safety qualification or above)
Proven knowledge and understanding of all Firearms Command and Authorised Firearms officer role profiles and their training requirements
Detailed knowledge and understanding of the Authorised Professional Practice for Armed Policing, National Police Firearms Training Curriculum, Codes of Practice for Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons and the Armed Policing Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment.
Good understanding of the College of Policing Firearms Licencing process and annual and quadrennial submission requirements in order to maintain the Surrey and Sussex Firearms training licence.
Evidence of excellent skills in planning and organising on an individual and team level, and able to work to time critical deadlines.
Proven ability to plan, manage and prioritise workloads with minimal supervision.
Evidence of a proactive approach to problem solving, with the ability to challenge issues and to see them through to resolution to ensure Firearms operational resilience is maintained and future proofed.
Excellent IT skills, including the use of Chronicle, SharePoint, and MS Window based Outlook and Office applications of Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Meet security level vetting standards.
In addition for this specialist role and for clarity:
The post holder will have or work towards NEBOSH Health & Safety standard.
Hold A1 Assessors Award or equivalent with ability to progress to gain V1 Internal Verifiers Award.
Is or has been operationally competent in the Armed Response Vehicle Officer role profile 3 (c) Additional Requirements:
To work where required in the collaborative area and Gatwick Airport as directed by the Chief Inspector Firearms in support of the delivery of Firearms training and the Firearms Training Plan.
Travel to Regional and National meetings with overnight stays where required.
Expected to be flexible with working time.
Police Driving permit capable of driving Firearms Training vehicles.
Post Incident manager and provide support to the Gatwick G99 Cadre.
Contact Details
For further information about this role, please contact CI Steve Biglands at steve.biglands@sussex.police.uk
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.
We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.
Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police
Additional Information
It is really important that you inform and seek support from your line manager of your intention to submit an application for this role as this allows for sufficient resource planning. Failure to inform your line manager may result in a delay in a release dates being agreed.
Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.
Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;
- vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
- vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
- if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment